Page 30 of Through the Storms

Riley’s eyes twinkled. “Andmoistjust has a ring to it.”

“Stop!” Chloe pretended to shudder. “I will never forget what kind of warm air.”

“Then say it,” Riley said.

“No.” Chloe scowled.

“I’m afraid you have to. It’s part of the storm-chasing rules.” Oakley chuckled.

“She’s right, you do,” Britt said, joining the conversation.

“We’re waiting.” Riley gently nudged Chloe’s leg.

“What happens if I won’t say it?”

“Britt, we gotta turn the van around. We got one that won’t saymoist,”Oakley teased.

“Butmoistis such a great word,” Britt said as she let off the accelerator.

“Fine. Moist. Moist. Fucking moist. Are you three happy now?”

All three burst out laughing, and Chloe joined them.

CHAPTER 14

Riley carried her suitcasetoward the motel room, while Chloe dragged her bag across the uneven pavement. For a moment, Riley considered offering to help but thought better of it. Chloe brought out Riley’s chivalrous side, which didn’t happen with her platonic friends, so she didn’t want to give Chloe the wrong idea.

It was dark by the time they’d arrived at this tiny, slightly rundown motel outside of Wichita. They’d been the first to check in, so they were the only ones schlepping across the pothole-ladened parking lot.

“Look.” Chloe pointed at other storm-chasing vehicles in the lot. “Apparently, this place is popular.”

“Must be the ambiance.” Riley smirked and pointed to the flashing no vacancy sign. Flashing might have been too generous. More like the shimmering neon sign with several burnt-out letters.

“Definitely a hotspot. Just wait until they put water in the pool. Then it’ll be impossible to get a room.”

“No doubt.” Riley chuckled. Judging by the weeds growing in the bottom, it hadn’t seen water for several seasons.

“Other chasers are a good sign. Means Oakley isn’t the only one who thinks there’ll be tornadoes in the area.”

Riley gave Chloe a side eye as they neared their room. “You doubted her?”

“Relax, I’m not dissing your hero.” Chloe smiled and put the key into the lock. “I can’t remember the last time I stayed at a motel that still used keys.”

“Wild, isn’t it?” Riley pulled out her cellphone and snapped a picture of Chloe opening the door.

“Why’d you do that?”

“I wanted to capture the moment. Get a picture of you using an ancient artifact.”

Chloe held the key next to her face and gave Riley a cheesy smile. “Picture of a brave storm chaser roughing it.”

As Riley snapped another picture, she said, “I don’t think a motel room counts as roughing it.”

“Even if we have to use a key?” Chloe grinned.

Riley turned away and pretended to struggle with her suitcase. Something about Chloe’s playful smile made Riley feel things she didn’t want to or at least shouldn’t. Chloe was a straight divorcée trying to get on with her life. She’d seemed unconcerned about rooming with a lesbian, so Riley didn’t want to give Chloe a reason for concern.

When they entered, Riley was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the sparse room. There was a slight hint of cigarette smoke, but other than that, the room was better than she’d expected.